Jelani Johnson

Jelani Johnson serves as Director of the Dayton Region Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC), where he provides strategic support to small and minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses seeking to grow and compete.

With a strong academic foundation from The Ohio State University and practical experience as a business owner, Jelani offers guidance in areas such as capital access, procurement, business counseling, and state certifications. Prior to joining the Chamber, he supported minority business development across Central and Southern Ohio through his work with the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council. Committed to fostering economic empowerment, Jelani works closely with business owners to help streamline operations, optimize financial strategies, and unlock pathways to success.

By combining strategic planning with a results-driven approach, he has helped numerous small businesses establish a solid foundation and scale effectively in competitive markets. Beyond his professional endeavors, Jelani is deeply invested in community development, education, and entrepreneurship advocacy. Passionate about building strong, diverse business ecosystems, he continually seeks innovative ways to equip business owners with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed according to their own individual definition.